In light of the materials from the demolished Aurora School on the Essequibo Coast disappearing, Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Daveanand Ramdatt believes that the theft could have been prevented if stronger monitoring systems were in place.
A resident of the region, Archie Cordis had stated in a letter to Stabroek News that while the Aurora Primary and Nursery Schools building was demolished on January 18, in order for a new concrete and wooden building to be erected on the site, the materials from the torn-down structure had disappeared.
While it was customary for the materials from any dismantling to go back to the residents, Cordis stated that they had contacted the Region Two Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson who had told them to put their requests in writing before anything was considered. However, during the time, the material was secretly carted off.
While Hopkinson had confirmed to Stabroek News that materials were carried away, he said it was only about 80% as about three truck loads were delivered to the Regional Democratic Council. He also said that while it was indeed policy for the materials to be returned to the RDC where it would have then been passed on to residents, he had given instructions to the regional engineer to ensure that the materials were taken to the RDC office.
However, Ramdatt told Stabroek News on Wednesday that the disappearance could have been prevented if the REO had implemented a stronger system. “If the region is doing any construction work then it is public funds and most of the time materials are given back to the community,” he said, stating that even if the instructions were given to the Regional Engineer, a stronger monitoring system should have been put in place to make sure that the materials were taken to the RDC. “Even if he had mandated the engineer to do so then the engineer should explain what happened to the materials,” he added.
Commander of ‘G’ Division Kevin Adonis told Stabroek News that investigations into the disappearance were still ongoing.
